By Vic Cox

UCSB’s recent selection, with UC Merced, to participate in a U.S. Green Building Council pilot program for the nation’s leading green building organizations was one of the highlights of last week’s report to the UC Regents on the system’s progress in implementing its green building policies. The Regents first adopted a green building policy for all UC campuses in June 2004.

Other UCSB advances have recently been announced on the environmental front. Last month, Marc Fisher, associate vice chancellor for design and facilities, presented the major elements of a draft Campus Sustainability Plan to the Campus Planning Committee. Based on the work of nine groups totaling approximately 75 staff, faculty, and students, under the coordination of Perrin Pellegrin, these elements are designed to save money in the long term and reduce the environmental impacts of campus activities, particularly in the production of green house gases (GHG).

A sampling of the elements, and some of their goals, include: energy efficiency and conservation (“create a net zero GHG emission campus”); food sustainability (devise a “closed loop” local, organic food system for purchase, preparation, and waste disposal); transportation impact reduction (use nearby housing, telecommuting, and non-petroleum-based transport to “achieve a net zero emission status”); and in the built environment to protect and maintain existing natural environments while enhancing the health and performance of building occupants “through sustainable planning, design, construction, and operations.”

Fisher noted, “The plan is a work in progress,” and invited comment on it. The draft plan is available at <http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/_client/pdf/plan/ Sustainability_Plan_12_12_061.pdf>. Included is a sample cost/benefit analysis that demonstrated how some savings have already been achieved in solar hot water systems, lighting upgrades, and waterless urinals. He added that Pellegrin, the campus sustainability coordinator, and her team of volunteers are pursuing grants and rebates.

The draft plan, said Donna Carpenter, vice chancellor, administrative services, “will produce positive results for the future development of UCSB. We’re happy to have it.”

A sample budget estimates that it would cost around $350,000 to launch an Office of Sustainability with four people to carry forward an approved plan. Programs would be an additional cost.

However, some key programs are well under way. Bren Hall and its sister building, the Marine Science Research Building, are certified, new construction green buildings, as will be the soon-to-be occupied Student Resource Building. UCSB has already successfully modified Girvetz Hall, achieving green certification for an existing building.

Campus leaders have also promised to modify 25 other existing buildings over the next five years in order to make them into green buildings. They signed an agreement late last year with the U.S. Green Building Council to use its rating system for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings. LEED is the recognized national benchmark for high performance green buildings.

“At UCSB, we strongly believe that we have the responsibility to care for the environment of our planet and the health of employees and other building occupants,” said Jon Cook, acting director of physical facilities. “We believe that performance under the LEED Green Building rating system is a key indication that we are achieving this important goal.” Eventually, he hopes all existing campus buildings will become LEED certified.

A LEED for Existing Buildings, such as that for Girvetz, means maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. This program will provide the university with a roadmap to lower energy use, incorporate sustainable purchasing and maintenance practices, and improve indoor environmental quality.